Can cultural identity shape and awaken the development of a country? Francis Kéré believes it can.
Currently in the process of constructing an opera house in the heart of one of the world’s poorest countries, Burkina Faso, architect Francis Kéré hopes to uplift the community through arts and culture.
Using the planning and developing of an opera house as an opportunity to develop a module for the community to use as housing has resulted in the building becoming something of a prototype.
Kéré is drawing on his traditional design methods and processes by using local materials and involving the community.
The stage and auditorium of the opera house was designed and constructed for a theatre piece in Germany and is now being utilised in Laongo, Burkina Faso. The seat rows and interior walls will be covered with Burkinabe fabrics and protected from climatic conditions with a 15m-high covering.
The theatre will serve as a place of encounter and exchange for people of different cultural and family backgrounds.
